Mr. Sweetums Wears Pink

Jean Free, a library consultant, is a retired public-school teacher and
librarian in Whitby, Ontario.

Mr. Sweetums is an unhappy cat who hates his name, the three sisters he
belongs to, and the lack of adventure in his life. The girls love
dressing their big orange cat in baby clothes or playing school with
him. He is left alone only when the girls go to ballet class.

One day they decide to dress the cat in a satin dress and put ballet
slippers on his hind paws so they may all attend a costume party. The
cat wins the prize for “most adorable pet,” and the girls tell him
that he is “the most special cat in the whole world.” Mr. Sweetums
decides he doesn’t care what other cats think and he doesn’t need
adventure; he has fallen in love with dancing.

This is Nova Scotia author Hutchinson’s first book. She writes with
rhythm and charm, creating a story that would be loved by little girls
who like cats and ballet.

Jones, a P.E.I. artist, has illustrated five earlier books. Her
humorous, bright drawings produce an interesting book for preschool or
primary-grade children.